Seven Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have been relieved of their posts due to an ongoing investigation on their alleged involvement in human trafficking activities.
“The relieved personnel, assigned at the NAIA Terminals 1 and 3, are under investigation following reports linking them to the illegal departure of trafficking victims repatriated last March 25,” said the BI in a statement on Wednesday, March 26.
It said “the move is aligned with President Marcos' directive to eliminate corruption and strengthen border security.”
“If found to have assisted the victims, said employees face cases before the Department of Justice,” it also said.
The BI said 30 Filipino victims returned to the Philippines after being rescued in Cambodia from online scamming syndicates.
Apart from the 30 Filipinos, the BI noted three trafficking victims were repatriated from Cambodia earlier this month after being forced to work in a scam hub.
“Investigations revealed they had no official record of departure, having been reportedly smuggled out via small boats from Jolo, Sulu, to Sabah, Malaysia,” the bureau disclosed.
“The victims admitted that their passports were later stamped with fake Philippine departure marks before they traveled to Cambodia through Malaysia and Thailand,” it added.